Many programs honor veterans and their families, decades after they served their country. Among the available Texas veterans benefits, Aid and Attendance is one of the most important to understand for seniors seeking long-term care. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers this benefit to eligible veterans and surviving spouses as an addition to their pension.
At Pegasus Landing of Forest Ridge in Schertz, TX, assisted living and memory care teams help families plan for their care with the available veterans resources in Guadalupe County. Here’s a short guide to how Aid and Attendance works, who may qualify, and where to find more resources as you plan long-term care.
What Is the VA Aid and Attendance Pension?
Aid and Attendance is a benefit added to VA Veterans and Survivors Pensions. This benefit supports veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily tasks later in life, including activities of daily living (ADLs) like eating, bathing, or dressing. According to the CFR, you do not need a service-related injury to qualify.
The maximum annual pension rates (MAPR) as of December 1, 2025, for VA Aid and Attendance are:
- Up to $29,093 per year for a veteran with no dependents
- Up to $34,488 per year for a veteran with one dependent
- Up to $18,697 per year for a surviving spouse with no dependents
Payments differ depending on the household’s countable income, and rates are usually adjusted each December. Check back to the VA pension benefits page or Survivors Pension page to confirm the amount.
Who Is Eligible for Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefits?
The VA considers military service, medical need, and financial circumstances when determining Aid and Attendance eligibility and award amounts.
Some requirements for Aid and Attendance include:
- At least 90 days of service, with at least one day during a wartime period, for veterans who began active duty before September 8, 1980
- At least 24 months of active duty or their full call-up period, including one day during wartime, for veterans who enlisted after September 7, 1980
- A discharge other than dishonorable
Wartime periods include World War II, the Korean conflict, the Vietnam War era, and the Gulf War era, which began August 2, 1990, and remains open.
Medical Eligibility
The veteran or surviving spouse must need regular help with daily activities, be confined to bed due to illness, live in a skilled nursing center because of physical or mental decline, or have severe vision loss. Veterans must also be age 65 or older, have a permanent and total disability, be a patient in long-term care because of a disability, or receive SSDI or SSI.
Confirm medical eligibility for VA benefits here.
Financial Eligibility
From December 1, 2025, through November 30, 2026, the VA pension net worth limit for the Aid and Attendance benefit is $163,699. Net worth combines assets and yearly income after deductible medical expenses. However, it generally excludes the primary home and personal vehicle.
The VA also reviews asset transfers made in the 36 months before applying. Wealth transfers made to achieve eligibility may result in a penalty period.
How to Apply for Aid and Attendance
Begin by gathering the documents that may be required by the VA’s application, including:
- The veteran’s DD214 or other separation papers
- Proof of marriage, plus the veteran’s death certificate for surviving spouses
- Recent bank statements and income records, including Social Security
- Statements or receipts showing recurring medical and care expenses
- VA Form 21-2680, completed by a medical examiner
Submit the Claim
Veterans apply with VA Form 21P-527EZ, and surviving spouses use VA Form 21P-534EZ. Families can file online at VA.gov, by mail to the VA Pension Intake Center, or at a VA regional office. Current VA pension recipients can send Form 21-2680 to request Aid and Attendance.
Trusted Veteran Resources in Guadalupe County
Guadalupe County Veteran Services offers help with VA claims, surviving spouse benefits, and community referrals. The Texas Veterans Commission also provides claims assistance. Families should work with VA-accredited representatives and be cautious of anyone who charges a fee to prepare or file an initial claim.
The team at Pegasus Landing of Forest Ridge helps seniors and their families connect with local resources and review their options so they can create financial plans for their long-term care.
This article should not replace financial advice. If you wish, please talk with your financial advisor regarding your own budgeting and planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
A surviving spouse of a wartime veteran may qualify through the Survivors Pension if they meet the medical and financial requirements. The couple must have been married when the veteran passed away, and the spouse generally cannot have remarried.
The VA pays the benefit to the veteran or surviving spouse, who can use it toward assisted living, memory care, or in-home care. Care costs may also count as medical expenses that reduce countable income.
Veterans are not required to present a service-related disability to qualify. Aid and Attendance is part of the VA pension program, which is based on wartime service, care needs, and financial limits.
The VA reviews transfers made during the 36 months before an application. Transfers made to meet the net worth limit may result in a penalty period.
Guadalupe County Veteran Services has offices in Seguin and Schertz that help with VA claims. The Texas Veterans Commission also offers free help from accredited claims counselors.
Find Resources Near You
VA Aid and Attendance helps many veterans and surviving spouses turn their years of service into care support. With the right guidance, eligible Guadalupe County families can gain more peace of mind in their long-term care planning.
Plan the Next Step With Confidence
Learn more about your eligibility for VA benefits and how to plan long-term care for your or your senior loved one’s needs. Schedule a tour at Pegasus Landing of Forest Ridge to learn more about care options and financial planning in Schertz, TX.